Transgender woman selected for New Zealand weightlifting team

The country's weighlifting organisation is backing a transgender woman who has been selected to compete internationally.

Laurel Hubbard, daughter of former Auckland mayor Dick Hubbard, will compete in the women's 90-kilo-plus category at the Australian International, often seen as a selection event for the Commonwealth Games.

Olympic Weightlifting New Zealand's Emma Pilkington says it's believed to be a first for the sport.

She says it's gone down about as well as can be expected - and while people have voiced concerns, most are supportive once they understand the protocols the organisation must follow.

Ms Pilkington says Laurel Hubbard meets all the criteria to compete as a woman.